Quantum Tech Projects Gain Huge Investments - DIGIT Tech News Roundup
Welcome to the latest edition of the DIGIT Tech News Roundup.
In this week’s newsletter, we will cover some of our top-trending tech news stories, features and op-eds from the week beginning the 5th of February.
The ITSX Summit will be held in Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on Thursday the 29th of February 2024.
The Summit is focussed on the evolution of the service desk and the future of customer experience and IT support. It will examine how the service function has advanced in the age of omnichannel engagement, digital transformation, and personalisation, from low-level automation and standardisation to advanced analytics, AI, and the increasing role of chatbots and self-service tools.
DIGIT's Top Trending Stories
Quantum Tech Projects Gain ￡45M UK Gov Investment
Accelerating the use of quantum technology to improve healthcare, energy, transport and more has received a major boost as science minister Andrew Griffith announces ￡45 million of investment.
The projects receiving funding include the development of a high-tech brain scanner using quantum technology, aiming to improve the diagnosis of disorders such as epilepsy and dementia, and a smart navigation system for trains, using quantum sensors to save costs and enhance safety in tunnels.
“This investment will help our researchers and innovators develop the blueprint for quantum computing hardware and software and secure the UK’s place in this developing field,” Dr Kedar Pandya of UKRI said.
“Chatty” Robot Guide Dog in Development at Glasgow Uni
Talkative robot guide dogs could soon help blind and partially sighted people find their way around enclosed spaces.
Academics from the University of Glasgow have partnered with industry and two key charities to develop the RoboGuide—an AI-powered, four-legged robot to help visually impaired people move more independently through museums, shopping centres, hospitals, and other indoor public places.
The RoboGuide prototype integrates a range of new technologies into an off-the shelf robot body to overcome the challenges preventing robots from being more widely used to blind and partially sighted people.
Barclays to Acquire Tesco’s Retail Banking Business
In a ￡600 million deal, Barclays has agreed to acquire the majority of Tesco’s banking business, along with around 2,800 staff, following regulatory approval.
Barclays announced on Friday its intention to take over Tesco Bank’s credit cards and unsecured personal loans, encompassing approximately ￡8.3 billion in lending balances.
Additionally, a 10-year distribution agreement has been established, allowing Barclays to sell financial products under the Tesco brand. Under this arrangement, Tesco, the largest supermarket in the UK, will retain its insurance, ATMs, travel money, and gift card operations, which it characterises as “capital-light, profitable businesses with a strong connection to our core retail offer.”
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Vodafone-Three UK Merger Subject To National Security Review
Vodafone’s planned ￡15 billion merger with Three comes under national security scrutiny, the company confirmed.?
According to the Telegraph, when asked directly if the government was reviewing the deal under the National Security and Investment Act, the CEO of Vodafone Group Margherita Della Valle said: “Yes absolutely.”
The merger, which was announced last year, aims to create the UK’s largest mobile network, with more than 27 million customers. However, concerns have risen about Three’s parent company, CK Hutchison, which is based in Hong Kong and could potentially gain access to sensitive national infrastructure.?
Women in STEM Not Immune to Sexism
The results of a global survey of 600 women working in STEM by MyBioSource, has found a myriad of upsetting, but ultimately unsurprising, trends and statistics.
The survey revealed several patterns that advocates for gender diversity and equality have pointed to – women tended to be higher earners or were more likely to receive a promotion if they had female mentors or bosses. Likewise, women who were passed over for a promotion said that a lack of women in existing leadership was the main cause of this.
Still, ensuring women are in power is not a cure-all – women can and often do perpetuate patriarchal standards in order to maintain their own power, and a lack of diversity in female leadership can lead to further biases down the line if the the women in power do not consider intersectional power dynamics of race, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic class.
Tech Consulting Firm BJSS Announce Key Hire
Glasgow-based BJSS announce the appointment of Brendan Scott as Client Principal within their Energy, Commodities and Utilities division.
Scott joins BJSS from a data consulting background, with the last three years being focussed on supporting major organisations within the energy sector on their digital transformation journeys.
Scott commented: “I am delighted to have joined BJSS at an exciting time for the firm. I have only been here a couple of weeks but it is already clear to me that BJSS have outstanding pedigree as well as a forward-thinking approach to helping our clients overcome the major challenges within the energy sector.”
UK Gov Announces ￡100 Million for AI Regulation & Research
Key regulators asked to publish plans by end of April for how they are responding to?AI risks and opportunities.
The UK is seeking more agile AI regulation, bidding to back regulators with the skills and tools they need to address the risks and opportunities of AI, as part of the government’s response to the?AI Regulation White Paper consultation today (February 6).
It comes as ￡10 million is announced to prepare and upskill regulators to address the risks and harness the opportunities of this defining technology.